Cafe Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) has created some of New York’s most beloved restaurants, cafés, and bars, offering outstanding food delivered with our signature warmth and hospitality. Founded by Danny Meyer with the opening of Union Square Cafe in 1985, USHG now includes an acclaimed portfolio of restaurants and an expanding collection of fast-casual concepts. 

Born in 2017 from the kitchen of Danny Meyer’s Union Square Cafe in New York City, Daily Provisions is a growing collection of all-day neighborhood cafes with restaurant roots. Daily Provisions offers a familiar, yet elevated, menu of classic dishes, including its signature crullers, all-day breakfast sandwiches with a runny yolk, and freshly brewed coffee and teas. Throughout the afternoon and evening, the restaurant serves chef-driven salads, made-to-order sandwiches, seasonal sides, and comforting dinner dishes like its famous Roast Chicken. A beloved neighborhood institution among New Yorkers, Daily Provisions has expanded to multiple locations total across New York, Jersey City, Boston, and Washington, D.C.

Who you are: 

The Cafe Chef leads with a spirit of excellence, care, and hospitality, ensuring consistent, high-quality execution of our culinary program each day. They uphold systems that support strong operations, maintain proper pars, and deliver exceptional food. With a coaching mindset, they develop and support every Back of the House (BOH) team member, creating an environment where people can thrive and grow. By setting high standards and leading by example, the Cafe Chef helps create memorable guest experiences and a culture of respect, teamwork, and accountability. 

What you’ll do:

• Consistently deliver a culture of Enlightened Hospitality to guests and team members
• Partner with Front of House and Back of House team members to enforce systems, routines, and checklists the Daily Provisions way as well as deliver excellent guest experiences across all channels, including in-restaurant dining, third-party delivery, and catering
• Collaborate with Facilities to maintain equipment and ensure clean, compliant, and inspection-ready kitchens according to ServSafe practices, HACCP logs, and allergen protocols
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure successful ordering, inventory, and product management
• Own Back of House P&L: food cost, waste, labor, and inventory turn to consistently meet financial targets
• Train and validate team members before they assume stations, doing thorough station checks each shift and leading tastings and presentations to educate the service team
• Foster clear communication and a culture of professionalism and accountability with a focus on compliant HR practices and policies
• Support and manage operations in front of house as needed

What we need from you:

• At least 3 years of experience in culinary/kitchen leadership and casual dining
• Excellent food & beverage knowledge and proven passion for culinary excellence and exceeding guest expectations
• Experience in training and developing Back of House Team members
• Ability to communicate in a direct, respectful, and transparent manner across all teams
• Understanding of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)
• Certification in a Hospitality-related field, or equivalent, preferred
• English fluency and additional languages preferred, but not required

What you’ll get from us:

At Union Square Hospitality Group, extending Enlightened Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe our people are our greatest ingredient. Joining our team means becoming part of a culture rooted in care, creativity, and growth. As a Cafe Chef, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay and bonus potential: Annual compensation of $80,000 - $85,000 plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus, with consideration for your experience and impact
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus flexible spending options for healthcare and dependent care
• Time to recharge: Generous paid time off and paid parental leave to support life outside of work
• Investing in your future: A matched 401(k) plan to help you grow long-term savings
• Peace of mind: Life insurance, employee assistance programs, and exclusive access to primary care, mental health, and other wellness services.
• Support in times of need: Access to the USHG HUGS Employee Relief Fund, offering direct assistance to team members facing unexpected hardship
• Dining Credit: An annual dining credit to enjoy exceptional meals and experiences at any of our restaurants 
• Dining Discount: A 51% dining discount across the entire USHG family of restaurants to share unforgettable meals with friends and loved ones 
• Convenience & flexibility: Pre-tax commuter benefits for transit and parking
• Growth and community: Opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration with some of the most passionate people in hospitality.

Putting Enlightened Hospitality into Practice

Integral to our culture are our six behaviors. Our behaviors guide how we work together.

• We play to win with humble swagger. Hospitality is a team sport where everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive and belong
• Turn over the rocks and always be connecting dots to build uplifting experiences and relationships
• Center the salt shaker with an unwavering commitment to excellence and the values that matter most
• Write a great next chapter. The road to success is paved with mistakes well-handled
• Bring a charitable assumption and err on the side of generosity
• Leave our campsite better than we found it; always responsible for the impact of our wake

*The above represents the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your experience and other job-related factors.

The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. This role may be required to take on other duties or projects as necessary to support organizational goals, in alignment with their skills, experience, and the evolving needs of the business.